Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

59. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs in IDA supported companies in Limerick at the end of March 2025 and the number in Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21429/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Mid-West Region comprises counties Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary. There are a total of 153 IDA client companies in this Region, employing 27,968 people. County Limerick has 74 client companies employing 16,068 people and County Clare has 62 client companies employing 6,041 people.

Recent announcements include the North American Bancard opening of a new R&I Centre of Excellence in Limerick city in June 2024 announcing the creation of 54 jobs, and in September 2024, Whoop announced the official opening of its new offices in Limerick. Also, on 12 September 2024, Eli Lilly and Company announced a $1 billion expansion of its Limerick manufacturing site. Meanwhile, on 19 July 2024, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics in East Clare announced a €10 million investment that underscores its commitment to innovation and growth in the region, with the company actively hiring to fill 50 open roles and having announced 30 additional jobs arising from that investment to be recruited between 2025 and 2027.

The FDI performance in the region has been positive over the past five years with employment among IDA clients increasing by 16%. The Mid-West has a significant ecosystem of well-established companies across Technology, Life Sciences, International Financial Services and Engineering & Industrial Technologies. Key IDA client companies in the region include Abbott Vascular, Boston Scientific, Analog Devices, Dell, Eli Lilly, Fiserv, Jaguar Land Rover, JnJ Vision, Meira GTx, Northern Trust and Regeneron.

In summary, employment in IDA companies in County Kerry and County Clare in 2024 - the latest available data - is:

Source: Annual Employment Survey 2024

Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

60. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the strategies being pursued to protect and strengthen Ireland's competitiveness, in light of escalating U.S. tariffs. [20972/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In 2024, Ireland was ranked as the 4th most competitive country in the World in the IMD World Competitiveness Rankings. Indeed, Ireland currently holds a strong competitive position globally, and this performance is underpinned by several key factors, including a highly skilled workforce, strong economic growth, and success in attracting foreign direct investment in high-value sectors. Ireland has also enjoyed exceptionally strong economic performance in recent years. Employment is at record levels. However, the international context is rapidly changing, and we recognise that many businesses, whether indigenous or FDI, are facing increased challenges, including on the cost of doing business.

The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) has outlined the challenges to Ireland’s competitiveness and productivity over the medium term and the policy responses required to meet them in its latest annual report – Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2024. In an evolving geopolitical landscape, the focus must be placed on addressing those challenges that are within our sphere of influence.

The introduction of tariffs by the US administration on imports from the EU presents a significant economic challenge for Ireland. Ireland remains committed to the principles of free and open trade, which have underpinned our economic success. Open trade brings economic opportunities, creates well-paid jobs and fosters innovation. It also builds economic resilience within a strong rules-based international trading system.

The Government appreciates that this is a worrying time for many businesses, particularly those with goods at sea, with the ultimate impact of the US decision to impose tariffs on imports from the EU remaining unclear.

In recognition of these challenges facing Ireland, the Government has accelerated the timeline for the delivery of a new whole of Government Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity. A draft of the Plan will be considered by Ministers at a Competitiveness Summit this July and published as soon as possible thereafter. This plan will cover industrial policy, reducing the cost and regulatory burden on business, investing in infrastructure, digital regulation and reform, energy reform, international trade and research and development, and innovation.

Over the coming weeks, the NCPC will finalise its Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2025 report. This work will feed into the development of the Action Plan. The Action Plan will be evidence based, and will be underpinned by consultations by my Department with other Government Departments and stakeholders, as well as by research and analysis. These consultations are already underway. Given the heightened level of international uncertainty, most if not all of which is outside of our control, the overarching objective of the Action Plan will be to focus on matters within our control by way of policy changes which can make the Irish economy more competitive and resilient to economic shocks.